Christmas Bureau visitors can learn about job, food assistance

Conversations start near the Christmas Bureau’s exit door.

That’s the area where a table is set up to offer information on state and federal programs for food and employment assistance. One federal pilot program drawing interest this year is called RISE, Resources to Initiate Successful Employment.

Tammy Nicks, a case manager, talked to many people on Monday who asked about RISE job assistance. The program offers case management, career coaching, job search help and workplace training for job seekers who receive food stamps but aren’t getting other state cash assistance.

“It’s a pilot program in Washington state that we’re just now launching, actually,” Nicks said. “Dec. 1 was the first date we could enroll people across the state.

“It provides 96 hours of job training, and some of that can be work-based learning, such as on forklift operation. It’s for those who are just on food stamps and not receiving state cash assistance like welfare assistance.”

RISE is funded under a three-year, $22 million Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training pilot sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.

The state expects to provide services to 7,000 people in the RISE program’s three-year period. An employer is often involved in training and hiring. As a sister program to Washington’s Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET), RISE has a focus on helping participants who face multiple barriers, Nicks said.

The barriers include having limited English-speaking skills, being homeless, needing veteran support, dealing with longtime unemployment and being a noncustodial parent who owes child support.

More information is available from the Fulcrum Institute, a Spokane nonprofit that has contracted with the state to launch BFET and RISE, at (509) 795-8699.

Also on Monday, volunteers accepted more than 6,000 stuffed animals from the Teddy Bear Toss collected by the Spokane Chiefs at its game Saturday. They’ll be given to low-income families who arrive at the bureau to receive $15-$30 food vouchers, toys and books. The Christmas Bureau runs daily through Saturday.

The bureau on Monday served 1,060 households and a total of 3,550 people. Those who received support on Saturday included 1,004 households and 3,610 individuals.

Recent donations

Cochrane & Co., of Spokane, gave $7,500 in keeping with a tradition of many years, writing, “We can’t think of a better way to spread Christmas cheer than by helping families who may otherwise go without celebrate the season with books, toys, and food vouchers.”

Jeff and Cindee Corrick, of Spokane, gave $1,500.

An anonymous Hayden Lake donor gave $1,000.

Kelly and Connie Mickelson, of Spokane, donated $1,000.

Sharon and Harold Cathcart, of Colbert, donated $500.

Peter and MaryLou Bach, of Spokane, gave $400, writing, “Many thanks for all the good work you do.”

George Sullivan, of Colbert, gave $300 via PayPal.

Nathan and Bonnie Narrance, of Colbert, gave $250.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $250, writing, “Thank you for all your work for the many people who you help this time of the year.”

Karen and Steve Heaps, of Spokane Valley, gave $250, “in memory of our dear friend Roger Harman and in honor of the love between him and his devoted wife, Suzanne.”

Laurie Glynn, of Liberty Lake, gave $250 via PayPal.

Matt and Shirley Alling, of Spokane, gave $250 via PayPal, writing, “It’s all about the kids. We are blessed and grateful again this year. May every child have something for Christmas.”

Andy and Wendy Newman, of Spokane, gave $250 via PayPal.

Carol Kriegh, of Cheney, sent $225, writing, “For a third year in a row, our book club has donated each month to make a donation to the Christmas Fund for books or whatever is needed.”

Nick and Leslie Zilka, of Liberty Lake, gave $200. The Zilkas are volunteering for a second year at the Christmas Bureau and wrote, “That makes us realize how fortunate we are.”

Carl and Anna Rabe, of Spokane, gave $200.

Eileen Thorpe, of Spokane, gave $200.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $200.

Richard Morris, of Spokane Valley, donated $200.

Three donors gave $200 each, with one writing, “In honor of Mouse Costello.”

Scott Brunell, of Spangle, gave $150.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $125.

Dan and Carole Driscoll, as well as J. English, all of Colbert, each gave $100.

John Guest, of Greenacres, gave $100, writing, “I would like to donate in loving memory to my wife Christine.”

Wanda Nichols, Mary McKay, Bruce and Lynn Wagner, John and Zoe Ann Foltz, Gary and Andrea Gunning, Ron and Linda Schultz, and Don Morse, all of Spokane, each gave $100.

Ken and Ali Hemmelman, of Spokane, who thanked the Christmas Bureau and volunteers, donated $100, writing that the gift “is given in memory of Paula Jean Campbell.”

Greg, Diane, Erik and Kristen Hansen, of Spokane, gave $100, writing, “This is in honor of Ian Johnstone, a most caring and beloved man.”

Tim Wolferman, Rick and Zella Novotney, and R.J. Martin, all of Spokane Valley, each gave $100.

Dean and Merdy Hendrikson, of Spokane Valley, donated $100, writing, “Our gift is given in honor and memory of our parents.”

An anonymous donor gave $100 cash, “In memory of my parents from their daughter. Dad was a former volunteer.”

An anonymous donor gave $100.

Louise Vanderwild, of Spokane, gave $75.

Michael V. Brown, of Spokane, gave $75 via PayPal.

Claudia Otis, of Spokane Valley, gave $60.

Dave and Freida Cook, of Cheney, gave $50

Gordon Radford, of Hayden, gave $50.

Peggy Estey, Esther Westlund, Joan Casey, Kathy Hill, Tianna Farnes and Phil Schumaker, all of Spokane, each donated $50.

Cindi and Raland John, of Spokane, gave $50, writing, “We are happy to contribute once again to our local Christmas Fund that benefits our local people.”

Two anonymous Spokane donors each gave $50.

Thelma Ostby, of Chattaroy, gave $40, writing, “It’s beginning to look like Christmas, and I think of those who need a little extra.” Her gift was given in memory of Joyce Ostby.

Gordon Landberg, of Spokane Valley, gave $40.

Marilyn Miller, of Spokane, gave $30, writing, “Merry Christmas to all those volunteers who help make Christmas a little better for those less fortunate.”

Dorene Bailey, of Spokane Valley, gave $30, writing, “Keep up the good work! Enjoyed my time working in the circulation department in the 1950s.”

Two anonymous donors each gave $25.

Cynthia Stufflebeam, of Spokane Valley, donated $25.

Carole Means, of Spokane, gave $12 via PayPal.

Note: For donations made through PayPal, The Spokesman-Review contributed the PayPal processing fee.